A Career With The Fbi
|
Do you have what it takes to become an FBI special agent? Do you have a sincere desire to enforce federal laws and investigate crimes?
This job requires hard work and can often times be dangerous and stressful. You'll undoubtedly be in close contact with crimminals and victims of crime. But a special agent's job is rewarding if you enjoy serving the public. Long before applying for a job as an FBI special agent, you'll need to plan carefully what you need to do to qualify.
The FBI Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents are the Government's primary investigators, who investigate criminal violations of over 260 statutes not assigned to another federal agency. Agents may conduct surveillance, monitor wiretaps, examine financial records, or participate in undercover assignments, just to name a few.
The FBI investigates organized crime, white collar crime, such as health care fraud, counterterrorism, copyright infringement, civil rights violations, bank robbery, extortion, kidnapping, terrorism, espionage, violent crimes, drug trafficking, and other violations of Federal statutes.
The following was adapted from The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Facts and Figures 2003, FBI Priorities (http://www.fbi.gov/priorities/priorities.htm)
The FBI's priorities are to:
Entry Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen, or a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Be at least 23 of age but under 37
- Be available to work when and where needed
- Pass hearing and vision tests, including a color vision test
- Possess a valid driver's license.
- Be in excellent physical condition
- Possess a national or regionally accredited 4-year degree in a foreign language, law, accounting, or another field plus three years of full time employment.
The FBI looks for job applicants who have skills in interrogation, report writing, surveillance, and giving testimony. The selection process also includes cognitive tests, an interview, background check, polygraph test, and drug test.
The FBI also looks for individuals with character traits, such as honesty and sound judgement.
Physical Training Requirements
An example of a requirement would be the PRT, a 1.5 mile run test, passed with scores of 14 minutes 10 seconds or under for females and 12 minutes 40 seconds or under for males.
Forensic Science
The candidate for a scientist position must first qualify under an existing entry program and have a degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, nursing, bio-chemistry, Forensics, Medical specialties, or related field. The candidate for a Forensic Scientist position should major in biochemistry, biology or biotechnology. The Forensic scientist analyzes evidence such as hairs, firearms, DNA, photographs, fingerprints, and handwriting examples and testifies verbally and in writing.
Advice from a former FBI profiler
John Douglas, a former FBI profiler, offers the follow advice for aspiring FBI special agents:
- Seek leadership opportunities.
- Develop skills the FBI desires.
- Do community service.
- Maintain a clean record--no jail term or felony and good credit.
- Maintain good grade point average.
- Consider ROTC.
- Complete an internship.
Don't major in a course you dislike, such as accounting, because you think it will help you to become a special agent. "Make sure your primary focus is finding a career you enjoy," says Douglas.
For more information on employment as a FBI Special Agent, check your phone directory for your state FBI office. Or visit the FBI online.
Sources
The Occupational Outlook Handbook 2002-2003, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Federal Bureau of Investigation (www.fbi.gov)
John Douglas's Guide to Careers in the FBI,1998, Kaplan Books, Simon and Schuster, New York.
About The Author
Diana Clarke has taught job search skills to students in Silicon Valley. Her career and business articles have appeared in publications including the San Jose Mercury News, Cupertino Courier and the Saratoga News.
www.yourskinandsun.com; dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com
|
|
|
References: Choose Wisely
Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the interview and hiring process you will be asked to supply references. With this in mind, here are five concepts to focus on in developing your reference list.1. References should be RELEVANT: The worst references are personal in nature. Do not provide your Uncle Charlie, your best friend or any other relatives or acquaintances. Provide references that have worked with you, worked for you, or have directly supervised you. References should be able to explain your specific job duties and responsibilities, accomplishments and work product. They should be able to define not only your role inside the organization, but also your ability to...(related: Employment)
Ten Tips To A Job Winning Interview
These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time -- and go for it!1. Investigate the company's culture, markets, and finances. But resist the temptation to show off what you've researched: "I just read that you're about to embark on a new product line") unless you have a question directly related to your career.2. Look like you belong. Learn the company's dress code and err on the side of conservatism. When you're seeking a senior position based on industry experience, you'll be expected to know the rules without being told.3. Take charge of the inter...(related: Employment)
From Bumbling Bosses To Cranky Co-workers ? How To Overcome What Makes You Hate Your Job
I'll be the first to admit that I hated my job. It took many years for me to come to this realization since I kept accepting promotions in the hopes that the awful ache inside of my chest would go away. This ache was not a medical condition ? it was me longing to have a career where I could be happy.I tried to ignore these feelings but instead, the ache became more intense. I expressed to my friends that I was unhappy with my job as a pharmaceutical representative and they told me that I was crazy for wanting to leave such a well-paying job. I became frustrated because I realized that I was goi...(related: Employment)
Alert! An Over-50 Jobseeker Has Just Entered The Building
Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is probably melodramatic, but I'm sure jobseekers in this age bracket probably feel there is one. The bulk of the job-seeking population is currently facing job-search woes that the elderly population has been experiencing for years.In recent years, I've seen that over-50 jobseekers have wised up to the fact that age bias is still existent in America's workforc...(related: Employment)
Dealing With How Would You...? Questions
I'm always preaching about proper preparation prior to interviews. If you research the position and company carefully, you can anticipate likely questions and prepare excellent answers.But something I also tell job seekers is that you can never anticipate every single question.I once had to respond to a "How would you...?" question about exhuming a dead duck. I am not making this up. The position involved community affai...(related: Employment)
Bullseye Interviewing
An interview is much like a blind date. You have sweaty palms, heart palpitations, shaky nerves and a preconceived notion of what could happen. The perfect scenario unfolds in your mind, where you are calm, cool and collected, dressed smartly, totally in control, enthusiastically meet...(related: Employment)
Getting Started: 5 Things You Need To Decide When You Get Started With A Job Search
There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than asking a person basic questions that revolve around what you as a job hunter are looking for in a job and being given uncertain answers. I'm not talking about sala...(related: Employment)
50 Things To Do To Your Boss That Are Fun For You, But Not For Them
1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations at his favorite restaurant. You know, the one you can't afford. Call them back and cancel his reservations ? say you're his wife.2. Have a friend ...(related: Employment)
Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success
For far too long, we moderns have relied on our analytical/logical brain to make important life decisions. It is my belief that our imaginative/cre...(related: Employment)
Believe And Get Hired
Good things seem to come in bunches, especially in a job search. Ever wonder why?Example: ever know someone (perhaps you?) who, after many weeks in a fruitless job hunt, suddenly hit a "hot streak" and landed two or three interviews in a matter of days?What happened? What changed? Did the job market suddenly improve? Perhaps.Or ... was that improvement all in their head?I'm a firm believer that belief determines outcome. And WHAT you believe has a profound effect on HOW you perform, particularly if you're looking for a new job.This "secret" to improved performance has proven itself for decades in the world of sports. Let me illustrate ...Before 1954, the conventional wisdom was that nobody could run a mile in under four...(related: Employment)
How To Write A Scientific Resume
You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and so writing your own résumé should be easy, correct? I mean, how hard could it be? Especially if you have written your own thesis or dissertation in the past, you may feel that you can save the $300 bucks (or however much it costs, even if it is a tax deduction!) and simply do it yourself. The ...(related: Employment)
Is Job Loss Making You Sick?
Job loss affects most of us like anyother loss in life. Yes, there are otherlosses that are greater, but this onecomes close too!From my experience,...(related: Employment)
Job Interviews -- The Four Worst Objections You?ll Face And How To Deal With Them
Dealing with tough questions and objections is an essential part of job interviews. Here are four common ones that derail many candidates. Read on to find out what they are and how you can deal with them.Objection #1: You've been fired from your last jobFirst of all, don't blow the issue out of proportion, either to yourself or to the interviewer. Remember, this is fairly common these days. Employers know it too.There are at least three ways you can handle this issue. If you left your previous employer on reasonably cordial terms, consider asking them to allow you to say you resigned from the job. Many employers will agree to this.Another option is t...(related: Employment)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Employment